Endangered forest restored

City of Canada Bay and the Yaralla Bushcare group have recently completed the Yaralla Bushcare Rehabilitation project to return a rare gem to its former natural beauty.

“We are committed to providing the local natural areas regular and ongoing attention to preserve ecological value and biodiversity,” Mayor Helen McCaffrey said.

“The Yaralla Bushcare Rehabilitation project is a success story for both the endangered Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest and the volunteers of the Yaralla Bushcare group who so generously care for it,” she said.

This project was supported by Greater Sydney Local Land Services through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme with the aim to restore the forest to its former natural condition.

The grant assisted Council’s Bushcare volunteers and enabled bush regeneration contractors to work within the endangered ecological community known as Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest. This is the most intact and floristically diverse example of this type of forest in Sydney, and is found on the Department of Health-owned Yaralla Estate in Concord West.

Key outcomes of the project include:

Conservation of the local endangered Turpentine Ironbark Forest

A significant reduction in noxious weeds on site with careful habitat considerations for small birds

14 people attending a Bushcare workshop held in March 2017

Seven new Bushcare recruits

A long term commitment to the Bushcare group with increased interest from the local community as well as the ongoing support from Council and the Sydney Local Health District.

City of Canada Bay organises five Bushcare groups across the area, with a total of 50 volunteers. In 2016/17 Bushcare volunteers gave 826 hours to restore, enhance and maintain local natural bushland.

Council's Bushcare program supports the Bushcare groups, supplying all necessary training, supervision, tools, materials and equipment for their projects. Anyone interested in joining should contact Council’s Bushcare team on 9911 6555.

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